Starts

Start of the Week: Ty Montgomery, WR, Green Bay Packers - Are there wide receivers with better matchups in Week 7? Yes. But are there any other receivers who will get the volume that Montgomery will get on Thursday night? No way. Montgomery is coming off a game where he had 10 catches as well as three carries. To expect that amount of production to decline against a Bears defense that is not as talented as the Cowboys is silly. Starting running back Eddie Lacy will be out in the Packers’ Week 7 game, meaning an uptick in carries for Montgomery. He won’t be the starting running back, but he will likely see at least five carries. A breakout game could be in store for the former Stanford star.

Kansas City Chiefs Offense- The Chiefs will take on the Saints this weekend, an opponent that spells a big day for the Chiefs running back corps. The New Orleans defense has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs in the NFL. Ware is clearly the better option out of the KC backfield as he will receive more touches, but Charles still has significant upside. Each back could find themselves putting up over 10 points in Week 7, with Ware having the potential to approach 20. Alex Smith is coming off a game where he scored less than 10 points against a weak Oakland secondary. However heavy rains forced the game to be played largely on the ground. But expect redemption in Week 7 with another great matchup. If Smith has a big day, Jeremy Maclin will benefit. Maclin has been largely average this season, and has been a risky flex play. Against New Orleans, Maclin’s value sees a large boost. He will get a great chance to haul in his first touchdown since Week 1.

Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders - Cooper has had two consecutive huge games, and that momentum will likely carry into Week 7 with yet another favorable matchup for the Alabama product. Cooper is a high end WR2 against the Jaguars in Week 7. He will likely by lined up against Jalen Ramsey, but don’t expect the rookie to hold Cooper under 100 yards.

Patriots Running Backs - The return of Tom Brady has been huge for everyone on the New England offense. LeGarrette Blount and James White get to face a Steelers defense that has been near the worst in the NFL when it comes to defending against running backs. Blount is the starting back, and has a near monopoly on goal line touches. White has a huge role out of the backfield as a receiver, already having hauled in 12 catches in Brady’s two games back. Especially if the Patriots build a big lead on the Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers, the running backs could both see a lot of touches.

Sits

Will Fuller V, WR, Houston Texans - Denver defense at Mile High. I’ll pass.

Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears - A number of aspects are working against Howard in Week 7. First, Howard had a shaky game against an average Jaguars run defense, amassing only 34 yards on 15 carries. As a result, Ka’Deem Carey is being worked back into the picture. Secondly, Howard and the Bears will face the Packers on a short week at Lambeau. The Packers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to running back in 2016, and that include Ezekiel Elliott’s 17 point outing in Week 6. In addition, it seems likely that the Bears will fall behind, and have to rely on the pass. That said, Howard still does have the potential to put up a lot of fantasy points with enough volume. But he is a risky start and should be avoided if possible. Howard owners should also keep in mind that Jeremy Langford is nearing a return. If Howard doesn’t play well in the next couple games, Langford could immediately resume duties as the starter upon return.

Coby Fleener, TE, New Orleans Saints - I was really high on Fleener coming into the season. Seemingly any tight end plugged into the Saints offense has been destined for big number. Ben Watson got his first chance to start after sitting behind Jimmy Graham for multiple seasons last year, and had the best year of his career. Fleener is more talented than Watson, thus many including myself expected a big year. He is coming off a game in which he had both a receiving and a rushing touchdown. I’m not buying consistency. I’d like to see more consistency from him in order to have confidence in the Stanford product. He is also facing the Chiefs defense that has allowed the fourth fewest points to tight ends.

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos - The Texans defense has not been as strong as it was earlier in the season. This can largely be attributed to the loss of J.J. Watt. But they have continued to shut down opposing offenses, holding them to just under 150 yards per game, according to ESPN. Thomas has been very inconsistent this season, and another low production game seems likely.